# Xarra: Read, Listen, Focus — Docs, Posts, Articles, Notes > Docs, Posts, Articles, Notes (iPhone/iPad app by Daniel Devesa Derksen-Staats.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xarra-read-listen-focus/id6759402266 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Daniel Devesa Derksen-Staats](https://appshunter.io/developer/1866327000) - Category: Productivity, Education - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 26.0 · 11 MB - Languages: American English, Catalan, German (Germany), European Spanish - Released: 2026-03-26 - Data updated: 2026-08-15 - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xarra-read-listen-focus/id6759402266/reviews.md ## What is Xarra? Xarra uses on-device text-to-speech with natural voices, so you can listen to pretty much any text, or read along with synced line and optional word highlighting, and stay focused. Featured in Create with Swift, Weekly Newsletter #101 (Indie App of the Week): "The app developed by Daniel is well integrated into the system. (...) Accessibility runs through the whole experience rather than sitting on top of it." Bring your content in: • Import PDF, EPUB, Markdown, DAISY, plain text, RTF, and more, or browse Project Gutenberg in the app. • Share web articles, blog posts, and documents from Safari and other apps. • Paste text or add a URL. Listen your way: • Optional word highlighting in background or underline styles. • Adjust playback speed and pick a voice for each language. • Choose reading fonts including OpenDyslexic, Atkinson Hyperlegible, and Lexend. Accessibility front and center: • VoiceOver-friendly navigation, Dynamic Type as a design principle, Bold Text, and Increase Contrast support, and more. • Respects your device assistive technology voice and speed settings. Private, lightweight, and offline-friendly: no account, no analytics, no tracking. Your documents stay on your device and sync through your private iCloud when enabled. Terms & Conditions for Xarra: https://accessibilityupto11.com/apps/xarra/terms/ ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month | | Yearly Subscription | $9.99 | per year | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Lifetime Access | $29.99 | one-time | ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6 — 2026-08-05 Read anywhere. Xarra now runs natively on Apple Vision Pro, with a new Focus Mode that turns your space into a calm, distraction-free reading room. On Mac, Xarra also feels right at home, with tabs, drag-and-drop file importing, and a full set of keyboard shortcuts. This update makes long documents easier to work through: • Chapters are smarter, with AI-generated summaries that keep pace with longer books and documents • Scrolling and word-highlighting are noticeably smoother on long audio documents • Markdown files can now be imported directly, alongside PDF, EPUB, and DAISY • Document language detection is more accurate, and you can now override it yourself if Xarra guesses wrong We've also made Xarra easier to read and use for everyone: • Better transcript readability across Dynamic Type sizes, larger screens, Dark Mode, and Increase Contrast • Improved VoiceOver navigation in the transcript view • Improved accessibility for the documents sidebar on Mac Beyond that, the app should just feel more polished all around. We've also seen a lot of interest in Xarra from German-speaking countries, and there's clear demand for German text-to-speech and accessible reading tools. So this release adds full German localization, both in the app and on the App Store. If you speak German, we'd love your feedback on how it reads! Thank you for your support, and happy reading! In previous updates: Xarra 1.3 added user-selectable reading fonts, including OpenDyslexic, Atkinson Hyperlegible, and Lexend. Xarra 1.2 brought Project Gutenberg and DAISY 3 support. ### 1.3 — 2026-05-14 Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Xarra 1.3 adds user-selectable reading fonts, including: • OpenDyslexic, for clearer letter differentiation • Atkinson Hyperlegible, designed for high legibility • Lexend, created to support easier visual reading flow • System font, for the familiar Apple reading experience This release gives you more control over how text appears on screen, so reading can work better for you. We’ve also included stability improvements to keep the experience smooth and reliable. Thank you for your support, and happy reading! In previous updates: Xarra 1.2 brought Project Gutenberg and DAISY 3 support. Xarra 1.1 introduced Voice Management: choose your preferred voice for each language. Thank you for the feedback, keep it coming! ### 1.2 — 2026-04-19 Happy World Book Day! Xarra 1.2 opens two new doors to reading. Project Gutenberg is now built right into the app. Search and import timeless classics: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, and thousands more! Then start listening immediately. No browser tabs, no copy/paste, no extra steps. Xarra also now supports DAISY 3, a digital talking book standard designed to give print-disabled readers the same navigational freedom as a print book. Import your existing DAISY library and get the full Xarra experience: synced text highlighting, chapter navigation, and VoiceOver-first design. Thank you for your support! Happy reading! In previous updates: You asked, we listened! The #1 request since launch has been more control over voices, so we got to work. Xarra 1.1 introduces Voice Management, a new setting that lets you choose your preferred voice for each language, not just the default. We've also made it clearer how to download Premium or Enhanced voices in iOS Settings for a much more natural sound. Thank you for the feedback, keep it coming! ### 1.1 — 2026-04-10 You asked, we listened! The #1 request since launch has been more control over voices, so we got to work. Xarra 1.1 introduces Voice Management, a new setting that lets you choose your preferred voice for each language, not just the default. We've also made it clearer how to download Premium or Enhanced voices in iOS Settings for a much more natural sound. Thank you for the feedback, keep it coming! In previous updates: This update focuses on reliability and polish. • Accessibility improvements, including better Dynamic Type behavior in landscape and improved contrast in playback controls. • Smoother purchase experience with fixes to loading states and layout consistency. • Improved iCloud progress syncing so listening progress stays in sync more reliably. • Fixed a crash that could happen when importing certain .txt files. Thanks for using Xarra. ### 1.0.1 — 2026-03-26 This update focuses on reliability and polish. • Accessibility improvements, including better Dynamic Type behavior in landscape and improved contrast in playback controls. • Smoother purchase experience with fixes to loading states and layout consistency. • Improved iCloud progress syncing so listening progress stays in sync more reliably. • Fixed a crash that could happen when importing certain .txt files. Thanks for using Xarra. ## More apps by Daniel Devesa Derksen-Staats - [iMonstickers for Messages](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imonstickers-for-messages/id1164272926) - [RetroRapid!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrorapid/id6758641625) All apps by Daniel Devesa Derksen-Staats: https://appshunter.io/developer/1866327000 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*